Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Kid’s Crafts Contributor Stephanie, from the Blog Geek with Glasses.

Kids are just like us, they have that one piece of clothing that they love, the only problem is they grow so fast, it doesn’t fit them anymore. I have several boxes of clothes to be saved for my daughter in hopes that one day she has a little girl, then she can share her faves with her tiny one. Let’s face it, for the most part, in 20 years are they still going to love Elmo? Probably not, there will be something or someone more popular. Most of these clothes will be out dated. Let’s make cute memory pieces now for our kids, so they can continue to love their favorite shirts.

The one shirt used today is a too small tee that my daughter picked out at one of our first shopping sprees.  A favorite of hers and a great memory of mine. The second shirt is one that has holes in the shoulders and a terrible stain on the back, plus yucky arm pits.  

This project uses the favorite print from the t-shirt to make adorable wall hangings.

Supplies:

Embroidery Hoop (large enough to fit your image)
White cardstock
Glue
Pen
Scissors

Optional:

Ribbon

To start, I traced the inside of the inside hoop onto the cardstock. I cut the circle out and put it aside for later.

Next, I laid the shirt out flat on the table. I slid the inside hoop into the bottom of the shirt and centered the image I wanted to frame, then I place the outside hoop down around the inside hoop, on the top of the tee, framing the image. For the case of the Pirate Ship, I used 2 hoops. The larger one I placed first, then to frame the Black Flag, I used a smaller hoop. I made the fabric taut by pulling the edges of the tee while the hoops were set but not tightened. Once both hoops were set, I tightened the screws.

I cut around the hoops leaving an edge that can be wrapped around the frame, a little more than a half inch, were I could. The section where the two hoops almost touched I cut down the center giving each hoop an equal amount.

Once the material is cut, place glue around the inside of the hoop on the back and fold the material around, press the cardstock into the back to cover up the ragged edge of the glued material. Let the glue dry.

If the hoop is to be hung, use the ribbon to make a bow or hanger. Or it can be hung just by the screw.

Additional Ideas:

The one t-shirt, I cross stitched my daughters name and then glittered it.

Before glueing the edges and the cardstock back on, the date coule be embroidered on.

This is a perfect way to let the great prints of baby and toddler clothes live on with new life.

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

Young learners enjoy practicing writing their numbers and letters. This earth friendly activity provides a fun activity that allows children to practice their skills, at the same time conserves paper! The cards are conveniently together with a binding ring.

Materials Needed:

• Colored Cardstock
• Lamination Film (heat laminator works best)
• Scissors
• Number Tracing Card Template
• Binder Rings
• Dry Erase Markers

Directions:

1. Print out a set of cards (4 pages) onto colored cardstock.  For my example, I used recycled white cardstock.  Using colored cardstock saves on ink, and time coloring. (optional)
2. Cut out the individual cards. (This will provide a better seal when laminating.)
3. Laminate pieces with a heat laminator.
4. Punch a hole in each card where indicated and insert the binding ring.
5. Ready. Set. Trace!

Two Number Tracing Card Template have been provided for today’s activity.  The first is blank, that you can use to add in any  text, or shape that you’d like to use.  It is in PDF format so you should be able to put it into any graphic program and add the font or shape that you choose.  The second template is a complete set of number tracing numbers Zero through 10.

The number trace ring books are an excellent item to include in summer packets, or take home bags to provide an extra activity to reinforce skills at home.  The number trace ring books  can be used for long road trips, or for time fillers when students are finished with their work early.

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

There’s nothing more fun than to receive a flower on a special day and what better thing to have is a flower pot that you can keep.  This beautiful flower pot card was created using the new American Crafts Neapolitan Dear Lizzy Collection. This would be a great project for Mother’s Day, which is on the 13th.

Plus tomorrow for Free Stuff Friday enter to win a prize pack from the American Crafts Neapolitan Dear Lizzy Collection!

Products Used:

• Orange cardstock
• American Crafts Dear Lizzy Patterned Paper:  Hazy Horizons, Sweet Sundress and Warm Memories
• American Crafts Dear Lizzy Ribbon: Printed and Specialty
• Craft Stick
• Foam Sheets in Green
• Wet Glue
• Tape Runner
• Martha Stewart Scoring Board
• Martha Stewart Paper Trimmer
• Stylus
• Scissors
• Ruler and Pencil
• EK Retro Flower Punch
• EK Open Scallop Edger Punch

Begin by cutting a piece of orange cardstock to be 4 ½” x 12″ and score at the 2″ mark using the Martha Stewart Scoring Board.  Now move the 2″ score line over to the left so that it is at the zero mark on the scoring board and score at the 5″ mark.  This will give you 3 sections- one that is 2″ wide and two that are 5″ wide. 

Fold the last 5″ long section up over the other; leaving the 2″ section unfolded.  Measure 1 ¼” in from each side of the paper and make a mark. 

Using a ruler and pencil draw the lines from the marks you just made to the top corners of the 5″ flap as shown in the picture. 

Place the paper in the trimmer matching the pencil line to the trimmer’s cutting track and cut on the pencil line. 

Repeat this step with the other side again lining the pencil line up with the track. 

Using the EK Open Scallop Edger Punch, punch a scalloped edge on the top of the 2″ flap.

Trace 2 of the flower pot shapes using one of the flaps as a template onto the Hazy Horizon sheet and cut them out.  Adhere one sheet with the wavy stripes out onto the front of the flower pot that will be the front of the card.  Lay the second sheet aside for now. 

This is what your card will look like at this point.  Run a piece of tape from your favorite tape runner along the inside edge near the fold.  Tie the ribbon around the flap and fold the flap down to secure. 

Now, punch 8 flowers using the EK Retro Flowers punch and the Sweet Sundress and Warm Memories Patterned Paper from the new American Crafts Neapolitan Dear Lizzy line.  Glue them together using your favorite wet adhesive glue.  Taking the stylus and 2 foam sheets stacked on top of one another gently emboss the center of the flowers going in circles until you reach the center.  This will give each petal a little curl to add a little dimension. 

Take one of the foam sheets and trim 4 long strips off to make the flower stems.  Next, fold each strip in half and then open up and add some glue onto one of the halves.  Fold down again and hold until secure.  This will create a stem that is sturdy enough to hold the flowers up right. 

Once the stems are dry, glue them to the flowers using the wet glue and allow them to dry.  After they are dry, run a piece of tape along the edge of your flower pot and place the stems over the tape making sure the flowers are at different heights.  Trim off any excess stems that are below the tape using a pair of scissors.  This will help remove some of the bulkiness when the patterned paper is placed over them. 

Take a craft stick and trace around it onto the Sweet Sundress Patterned Paper, cut it out and adhere it to the craft stick using the tape runner. 

Attach the pinwheel from the American Crafts Dear Lizzy line to the top and put it in the middle of the flowers on the flower pot making sure it is the tallest of all the pieces.

Take the second flower pot shaped paper that you traced earlier and making sure the green side is up; adhere it over the flower stems and the bottom of the pinwheel as shown in the picture. 

Find the four small flower shapes shown in the picture from the Serendipity Thickers and place it in the center of each flower. 

Use one of the cute stamps or fun stickers that are in the new Dear Lizzy line to add a special sentiment to the card and plant some smiles in a person’s day!

By Crafts-a lot Contributor, Mable who is an avid reader of craft blogs & magazines and has aspirations to improve her crafting skills. Join Mable on Facebook to socialize and share with other crafters!

I’ve been spending more time outside with the sunny warm weather. Tulips are blooming, lawns are being mowed, and the birds are chirping. This is a collection of my favorite projects for my patio that just topped my weekend to-do list.

First I love the look of these color-block terra cotta pots. Acrylic paint, terra pots, and paint brushes is all you need to give your planters a face lift.

Color Block Terra Cotta Pots DIY

I like the unique look of this upside down planter. It’s made with recycled containers and fabric scraps. Look at that orchid!

Recycled Upside Down Planters

I have to make this floral garland. It’s so pretty, and I bet it smells amazing. Looks like you can string most stems with a needle, or tie string around more delicate blooms.

Floral Garland

Most recipes will suggest fresh herbs if you have them. What’s fresher than growing on your patio? This example was made from a wooden wine crate. I wouldn’t mind emptying one of those… These directions will teach you how to plant a mini herb garden.

How to Plant a Mini Herb Garden

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma.

My darling little son recently broke one of my bracelets! Great! Along with the one I broke last month, I was pretty bummed! I hated to toss what remained of the bracelet so I held onto it until today. I am always losing pens, so I decided to make a pen/pencil holder. I think this turned out much better than and cheesy pencil holder I could buy at the local retailers. Additionally, this would be really pretty to throw a tea light candle in it! Bam! It’s multi functional!

What you will need:

• Mason Jar
• Hot Glue Gun
• 2-3 Glue Sticks
• Decorating supplies (I used a broken bracelet, but other ideas are broken jewelry, broken ceramic, beads, gems, buttons, etc…)

Directions:

Using a hot glue gun decorate your mason jar. Be sure to get an idea of what you want it to look like before gluing your décor into place.

I used mine as a pen holder, but I think this would be beautiful with a tea light candle in it as well!

This would be a really great gift idea too!

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma.

We eat, breath, and sleep army type stuff in this house. So, when I seen a rather large box in the garage I knew just what to do with it. However, if you don’t have a large box tucked away in your garage, your neighborhood Lowes or Home Depot sells them.

What you will need:

• 1 large box and one 1 medium box. Must be large enough to fit in unless this tank is for decoration purposes.
• Tape (I loved the camo duct tape)
• 1 brown bag paper roll
• Scissors
• School glue
• Construction paper
• Markers
• Craft knife (or a steak knife works if you are in a bind like me )

Directions:

Tape the medium box to the large box. Cut off the top. Cut a hole in the large box so that you can fit into it.

Cut a small hole into the medium box and insert the paper roll. Secure it with tape both on the inside and the outside.

Cover with construction paper using school glue to attach. Cut 6 round circles and glue them on the bottom to make wheels. Cut out two rectangles and write US ARMY on them. Glue them on. Make a star for the front and back.

GO PLAY!

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

Recycled crafts can be fun to create as well as educational.  This project is one that the kids can help you with!  There aren’t any set rules as to what types of seed packets you use.  In my example, I have used a packet of vegetable seeds, and 2 flower packets.

Materials needed:

• Cardstock
• Lamination
• Large Popsicle Sticks
• Recycled Seed Packets
• Old seed catalogs, ads or photo/clipart images
• Scissors
• Permanent Ink Marker
• Glue – E600

Directions:

1. Gather together recycled seed packets.  Select 5-10 different seed packets that feature a picture on the front.

2. Look through seed catalogs, websites, or ads for pictures of the flowers/content of the seed packets. In my example, you’ll see that I selected a picture of Acorn Squash, Dianthys, and Zinnias. Even though the pictures weren’t exactly the same pictures as my seed packets, they were close enough. 

3. Cut out or print the pictures of the flowers/veggies to match the seed packets.

4. Trim the pictures to fit on the end of a large popsicle stick. Laminate for durability.  (Optional)

5. Count out as many popsicle sticks as you have pictures.  With a permanent ink pen, write the name of the flower/vegetable on one end of the popsicle stick. 

6. Glue the picture at the end of the popsicle stick opposite the writing, and let dry completely.

7. Once the tags are completely dry,  the game is ready to be played.

Variation:    Another variation to this game is to have the children sort vegetables from flowers by sorting into recycled aluminum cans marked with seed packets.

All of the supplies used to create this activity can be purchased from CreateForLess.com.